Exoskeleton-Assisted Therapy Enhances Upper Limb Motor Recovery in Early Subacute Stroke: A Multicenter, Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Stroke 2026 Open access

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Authors: Giovanni Morone, Sanaz Pournajaf, Marco Iosa, Michela Goffredo, Maria Rosaria Leo, Stefano Paolucci, Maria Teresa Gatta, Andrea Santamato, Sofía Straudi, Rocco Salvatore Calabrò, Marco Franceschini, Carrie Louise Thouant
+18 more Elena Sofia Cocco, Raimondo Stefano Maria Torcisi, Claudia Zanetti, Daniele Calligola, Stefania Spina, Salvatore Facciorusso, Giulia Fregna, Andrea Baroni, Tina Balletta, Laura Ciatto, Alex Martino Cinnera, Emanuele Francesco Russo, Michele Pio Pompilio, Maria Elena Mischitelli, Maria Teresa Marino, Matteo Di Maggio, Caterina Di Blasio, Serena Filoni
DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.125.052605
Cited by: 3
References: 40

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted therapy (RAT) with exoskeletons is believed to enhance motor recovery in stroke survivors. RAT offers intensive, feedback-based, task-oriented training to improve function. This study evaluated exoskeleton-based RAT integrated into usual rehabilitation care for individuals in early subacute stroke. METHODS: This multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted across 8 stroke neurorehabilitation units over a 3-year period (December 2020–March 2024). Inpatients with moderate-to-severe upper limb impairment postsubacute stroke (

Fields of Study & Subjects

Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Robotics Botulinum Toxin and Related Neurological Disorders

Publication details

Journal / source
Stroke
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Volume
57
Issue
5
Pages
1126–1135
Publication date
12 March 2026
Language
EN